Salesian 16, Kennedy-Richmond 8

By Jeff Carillo Correspondent

Posted:
11/10/2012 06:39:27 PM PST

Updated:
11/10/2012 06:39:27 PM PST

Thanks in large part to strong play on defense, the third-seeded Salesian High football team survived a gritty, physical contest against Kennedy-Richmond on Saturday and earned a 16-8 victory in the first round of the North Coast Section Division IV playoffs.

"We came into today expecting a physical game," Salesian coach Chad Nightingale said. "They're very big and very athletic, and we give them their due credit."

The game played as a stark contrast to their Sept. 14 matchup when Salesian (9-2) won 42-0. The biggest difference, according to Nightingale, was Kennedy's ability to neutralize the run game.